May's gave a graphic account of the excitement in Philadelphia; the
recruiting and drilling of troops, the making of flags, the constant,
universal singing of patriotic songs, etc., then closed with the story of
the sorrowful parting with the dear brothers who might never return from
the battle-field.
It had been a bright, warm day, but at evening the sea breeze came in cool
and fresh; thin clouds were scudding across the sky, hiding the stars and
giving but a faint and fitful view of the young moon that hung, a bright
crescent, amid their murky folds.
Mr. Dinsmore was pacing slowly to and fro upon an open colonnade
overlooking the bay. He walked with bent head and folded arms, as one in
painful thought.
A slight girlish figure came gliding towards him from the open doorway.
"Papa, dear, dear papa," murmured a voice tremulous with emotion, "you are
very sad to-night; would that your daughter could comfort you!"
He paused in his walk, took her in his arms and folded her close to his
heart.
"Thank you, darling. Yes, I am sad, as we all are. Would that I could
comfort you, and keep all sorrow from your life. Nay, that is not a right
wish, for 'whom the Lord _loveth_ He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son
whom He receiveth.' 'As many as I love I rebuke and chasten.
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